Darkness. No sound. No light. Only blackness, which surrounded him. And cold. Ice cold, that crept over his body.

Then suddenly. . .a movement. He saw a flash of silver shoot past, shining for a fraction of a second. Then it disappeared again in the darkness. He had dreamed it. Yet. . .there it was again. He did not see it, but he was able to sense it.

Something soft touched his skin. At first, he did not know what it was, but slowly, very slowly, he was able to recognize it. He tried to banish the blackness out of his head, to move his tired arm, to extend his hand after the thing. He couldn't do it. Then, with an enormous effort, he reached out and touched a hand.

Slowly, the blackness disappeared, and he was able to focus on a body. At first he thought it was a dream, that perhaps he had died and this was heaven. Yet as he was lifted from the water, and felt the cool breeze on his wet skin, sensed the sun on his arms, he knew it.

He was alive!

He smiled up at the person who had rescued him. "Thanks, my friend," he whispered, and then darkness' powers claimed him once again.

xxx

Silence.

Something there never was on Tracy Island. Always there was something going on, perhaps Grandma cooking in the kitchen, perhaps Scott tinkering with Thunderbird One, perhaps Virgil playing his piano, perhaps Brains in his lab. There was always something going on.

But not today.

It was a beautiful day- even by Tracy Island standards. The sun was beating down, but the gentle breeze cooled it before it became too hot. The sky was a clear, sparkling blue, reflected in the sea.

It was Alan's birthday.

But this meant nothing to him. Alan stood alone at the living room window, and stared out to sea. On the table, his birthday cake, presents and cards were laid out, like always, but everyone was acting like it wasn't even there. Jeff, Scott, Virgil, John, Brains and Tin-Tin stood silently in the doorway. No-one knew what to say or do.

The silence was finally broken by the telephone ringing. Jeff went to his desk and listened in silence for a moment. Then he put down the 'phone and turned to his sons. "They've found Gordon," he said.

xxx

A few minutes later Thunderbirds One and Two could be heard starting up. They shot up into the sky and, after a while, disappeared over the horizon. Tin-Tin walked over to Alan, still standing at the window.

Silence ruled for a moment, and then Alan turned to his friend and smiled, for the first time since the rescue.

"You see?" he said. "I said he would come back. He hasn't broken his promise." Tin-Tin said nothing, standing and looking at Alan for a moment. Then she smiled and gently took Alan's hand in hers. They both silently looked out on the sea.

xxx

1 month later

"Hey Alan! Hurry up! I've seen old women run faster!" Laughing, Gordon ran down to the beach, quickly followed by his little brother. As the sea got closer, Alan threw himself, laughing, towards his brother and both ended up in the warm sand where they play fought like small boys.

Then Gordon suddenly sat up and listened. He rose, and ran a couple of steps into the sea and remained there, looking out. Alan looked out, confused. "Gordon? What is happening?"

"You are here!" Gordon said, to no-one in particular. For a moment there was silence, then Gordon turned and looked at his brother with a smile. "They are here." He ran back to the villa.

Alan didn't know what was going on. He looked out to sea. . .and laughed. For he was able to recognize a group of dolphins, which were leaping and jumping around the island. He remained there for a few seconds, then he turned and ran after his brother.

Only short time were later both brothers were sailing out onto the open sea in a small boat. They went around the Island, until they reached a small bay, the other side of the Island from the villa. And waited.

But they didn't have to wait long- within minutes of their getting there, a dolphin began to circle the boat. Suddenly, three more appeared, jumping and twisting. Alan laughed in delight. They watched the dolphins for a few moments then Gordon stood up and walked to the edge of the boat.

"What are you doing, Gordon?" asked Alan.

"Don't worry, little brother," said Gordon. "I won't stay in for long. Then we'll go back, and I'll sit by the edge of the pool. I promise."

Gordon let the dolphins have some space, and trod water a few meters away from them. After a few minutes, Alan joined him.

He let the warm water glide over himself, without a care in the world.

For he didn't have a care in the world- he knew Gordon would keep his promise. And all the other promises he would make to him in the years to come. . .

Fin